STATEMENT BY THE HIP (HELLENIC, ITALIAN, PORTUGUESE) ALLIANCE ON ATTACKS DIRECTED AT FELLOW AFRICANS LIVING IN SOUTH AFRICA

Johannesburg – The HIP Alliance, an organization that represents South Africans of Hellenic, Italian and Portuguese origin residing in South Africa condemns in the strongest terms the unjustified and senseless violence directed at African immigrants, seemingly by fellow South Africans in KZN, Alexandra and other parts of our country.

Fellow African immigrants, who reside legally in our country, are an integral part of our social fabric and the diversity that constitutes the unique tapestry of our country. Furthermore, our fellow Africans are an integral part of our society that contributes much needed skills and intellectual capital to our economy.

To this end, the HIP Alliance calls on all sectors of society to condemn this senseless violence and calls on all our compatriots to work together with our government in re-establishing an environment of tolerance and a spirit of co-operation where communities co-exist in peace and harmony.

More over the HIP Alliance calls on all communities, to work together with government in accelerating economic transformation, reducing inequality and upholding the rule of law, all important facets which have in part led to the unacceptable Xenophobic violence we witnessed over the past few days.